Author M.J. Rose to Hold Reincarnationist Book Reading in Second Life
Harlequin to Host Author Event and Q&A Session in Online Virtual World with Critically Acclaimed Thriller Author
TORONTO, Sept. 20 -- Harlequin Enterprises Limited, one of the world's leading publishers of women's fiction, announced today that they will hold an author reading event in the online virtual world Second Life to promote THE REINCARNATIONIST, a new novel by critically acclaimed author M. J. Rose. On Tuesday, September 25, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. EST, M.J. Rose will host a reading through live audio-streaming, and will participate in a live real-time chat with attendees at a virtual location being custom-built for the occasion (in Second Life, search in groups for "MIRA Books").
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Second Life is a 3-D virtual world entirely built and owned by its members, known as Residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, Second Life has grown explosively and today is inhabited by more than nine million Residents from around the globe. Second Life abounds with people, entertainment, experiences and opportunity. Businesses, including publishers, are increasingly looking for new ways to connect with tech-savvy individuals in relevant and effective ways. By hosting this event in Second Life, Harlequin continues to seek innovative means to reach out to readers. "Bringing an author and readers together in Second Life is a first for Harlequin, but connecting readers and authors is what Harlequin has done for decades," said Jenny Bullough, Harlequin's Manager of Digital Content and Interactivity. "Second Life offers an opportunity for M.J. Rose to connect in real time with readers who may not have the chance to meet her in real life. And because THE REINCARNATIONIST is a novel about a modern-day man experiencing a second life-as a priest in ancient Rome-through a series of intense and comprehensive visions, we felt that Second Life was the perfect venue to share M.J.'s story with readers."
The recipient of prominent reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Entertainment Weekly and People magazine, THE REINCARNATIONIST (MIRA Books, Hardcover, $24.95 U.S./$29.95 Can., September 2007; also available in audio and eBook) offers an unforgettable read that's equal parts modern-day thriller, historical fiction and love story. With one foot in present-day Rome and New York and another in early Christian Rome some 1,600 years ago, Rose conjures with exacting historical accuracy two worlds consumed by the fires of intrigue and extraordinary passion. "The questions of who we are cannot be asked without first asking who we were," writes Rose, who draws upon her own research into reincarnation theory-as well as the tenets and writings of students and believers in reincarnation-to write this compelling novel.
Harlequin has engaged Purple Stripe Productions to create a custom built location featuring elements from the novel. Purple Stripe will provide audio streaming for the 15-minute reading portion of the event before the 45-minute question-and-answer session with the author. A sample chapter from THE REINCARNATIONIST will also be available in-world at the location one week before and three weeks after the event.
International bestselling writer M.J. Rose is the author of eight previous novels, including three titles in the Butterfield Institute series: The Halo Effect, The Delilah Complex and The Venus Fix. She has also coauthored two nonfiction books on marketing. Rose is on the board of directors of International Thriller Writers and lives in Connecticut.
About MIRA Books
MIRA Books(TM) is Harlequin Enterprises' mainstream women's fiction imprint. Featuring a lineup of some of the bestselling authors across North America, MIRA Books is committed to publishing the very best in commercial fiction, from historical and contemporary romance to suspense and psychological thrillers. In 2006, 38 MIRA Books titles placed on bestseller lists (New York Times, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly). MIRA Books currently publishes more than 100 books per year in hardcover, mass-market and trade paperback formats. Please see the MIRA Books Web site-www.MIRABooks.com-for more information.
About Harlequin Enterprises Limited
Harlequin Enterprises Limited is the global leader in series romance and one of the world's leading publishers of women's fiction, with titles issued worldwide in 26 languages and sold in 109 international markets. The company produces 120 titles monthly and publishes more than 1,300 authors from around the world. Harlequin Enterprises Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation, a broadly based media company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TS.B). Harlequin's Web site is located at www.eHarlequin.com. Harlequin has offices in 18 countries, including offices in Toronto, New York and London. For more information please visit www.eHarlequin.com or press.eHarlequin.com.
About Purple Stripe Productions
Purple Stripe's main focus is integrating companies into Second Life. Our team of audio/video specialists, senior software developers, architects, and media/advertising executives know what it takes to successfully integrate your company into the metaverse. What works in 'real life' does not always work here. Let our years of expertise make your Second Life experience a positive one! Extensive in-world experience and a strong creative flair coupled with our team's real world business consulting background from Fortune 500 firms to startup ventures makes us the perfect in-world team for professionals seeking to integrate themselves and their businesses into Second Life. Our broad, in-world exposure to Second Life's diverse residents and subcultures is key to our success. Available to answer questions and personally walk you though the areas you are interested in, the Purple Stripe team can help you integrate quickly into Second Life. The one-on-one instruction we provide is catered to your business needs, technical experience, and comfort level.
